Plans for care village on land off School Road, in Elmswell, near Bury St Edmunds, refused

Controversial care village plans were refused after fears were raised that it ‘could become a ghetto for elderly residents’.

The plans were submitted by Christchurch Land and Estates, and discussed yesterday morning by members of Mid Suffolk’s planning committee, for a care village to be built on land off School Road, in Elmswell, near Bury St Edmunds.

A new 66-bed care home was proposed alongside 40 extra care bungalows, a management office, and a clubhouse, but the plans were recommended for refusal by officers.

Since being brought forward in December last year, the plans have received widespread local opposition, with 40 objections submitted by residents who raised concerns over loss of open countryside, flooding, traffic and lack of services.

These were once again brought up during yesterday’s meeting by several local representatives.

Committee members heard from Peter Dow first, the clerk at Elmswell Parish Council, who said the development was ‘opportunistic’.

He also stressed the proposed care village would destroy the landscape, which includes the historic St John’s church, add to the accessibility problems of the village, and did not take into account the lack of services for the extra residents.

Mr Dow’s concerns were reflected by both local members for Elmswell and Woolpit.

Cllr Jen Overett, said: “The development would mean an irrevocable loss of landscape value in terms of the rolling valley farmlands, and heritage value given the unique and iconic view of St John’s church residents and visitors currently enjoy.

“I really would like to impress on the committee the extent to which this far-reaching view is important to, and valued by, the community.

“This is an application that a lot of residents have told me causes them anxiety.”

Cllr Sarah Mansel added: “Elmswell is not a pretty village, it’s a very functional village but that is the one iconic view that everyone knows and that would be gone forever, it’s part of the character of our community.

“This development has the potential, I believe, to become a bit of a ghetto for elderly residents.”

The applicant’s agent was not present to address the representatives’ accounts.

According to planning documents, the proposals would bring economic benefits as well as create 75 new jobs.

Amid the concerns, as well as the lack of the applicant’s representation, committee members did not take long to unanimously support the officer’s recommendation of refusal.